This study aims at exploring the theoretical perspectives and research related to second language teacher identities. In particular, this paper focuses on the studies on the identities of English teachers in the Korean educational system. Major findings are as follows: First, based on the previous literature on teacher identities, teacher identities are defined as dynamic, multidimensional, and changing, as they continuously interact with individual, social, and cultural contexts. Second, it was found that studies have focused on (1) the meta-analyses of English teacher identities, (2) native-speaking English teacher identities, (3) the identities of non-native-speaking English teachers co-teaching with native-English-speaking teachers, (4) the identities of non-native-speaking English teachers including pre- and in-service teachers, and (5) teacher identity development through teacher education activities. Lastly, this paper brings up issues and suggestions on the formation and development of English teacher identities. It also offers directions for the future research on professional identities of second language teachers.

The present study investigated the structural relationships among factors influencing Korean EFL learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in English and their actual English use. To this end, a total 595 university students enrolled in a wide range of academic disciplines participated in a survey. Data from the survey were analyzed using both multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. Results of the present study demonstrated that English confidence assessed by students’ perception of their English skill and English anxiety directly influenced students’ English WTC as well as the frequency and amount of their English communication. However, attitudes in international issues and intrinsic motivation made a direct influence only on students’ English WTC. Instead, these two factors made an indirect effect on students’ actual English use through the mediating role played by WTC. On the other hand, classroom factor as measured by perceived ELT methods and topic familiarity made a direct influence only on students’ actual English use, and the effect of the classroom factor on students’ English WTC was not significant. The same pattern was observed for socio-educational factor. These findings were discussed in terms of the implications for EFL education in the Korean context.

The present study investigated the structural relationships among factors influencing Korean EFL learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in English and their actual English use. To this end, a total 595 university students enrolled in a wide range of academic disciplines participated in a survey. Data from the survey were analyzed using both multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. Results of the present study demonstrated that English confidence assessed by students’ perception of their English skill and English anxiety directly influenced students’ English WTC as well as the frequency and amount of their English communication. However, attitudes in international issues and intrinsic motivation made a direct influence only on students’ English WTC. Instead, these two factors made an indirect effect on students’ actual English use through the mediating role played by WTC. On the other hand, classroom factor as measured by perceived ELT methods and topic familiarity made a direct influence only on students’ actual English use, and the effect of the classroom factor on students’ English WTC was not significant. The same pattern was observed for socio-educational factor. These findings were discussed in terms of the implications for EFL education in the Korean context.

I investigate the parsing strategies of relative clause (RC) attachment preferences by Korean speakers and English learners of Korean as a second language. RC can modify either NP1 or NP2 as its host when the antecedent consists of a complex NP as in `kyosil-ey iss-nun haksayng-uy chayk`, where either haksayng or chayk can be interpreted as a host. Two test methodology (a picture identification test and a written questionnaire test) were used to examine the parsing preferences by the two language groups. The results show that Korean speakers and English speakers converged or diverged depending on the test methodology. While the two language groups behaved similarly in the former test, they did not in the latter test. A strict working memory capacity and lack of knowledge about the verb semantics by L2 learners were assumed as possible reasons for the different parsing preferences. Based on the findings, I propose that native speakers and L2 learners do not have the same source of computational system and that different types of tests are necessary to get a clearer picture of L2 processing system in psycholinguistic research.